Usb Drive -the Small Reliable Storage Device

2007-09-05 Word Count: 682 Category: Data Recovery

While some are shaped like a duck, others look like a Barbie doll, sake bottle or a shrimp. People are using them a plenty, by either strapping the USB watch to their wrist or placing the pen drive in their pocket. However, this is not the only reason as to why a USB device is popularly sought after.

The USB drive has been in existence for long. Moulding its metal casing into strange shapes and sizes has only enhanced its existing appeal. The initial traditional device has been subjected to a few technological changes. Subsequently the USB flash drive in use today is smaller, weighs light and can be used by simply plugging it to any modern computer.

Usage of a USB Device

Usage of a USB device has to be preceded by the installation of small software called driver that activates it. With the installation of the driver, the USB can be plugged in and it turns ready for use. It’s widely used as a data storage and data transfer device.

The Varied Uses of A USB Drive

A USB drive is an ideal data back up storage device for:

Its large storage capacity that ranges from 32MB to 64GB.
Cost of storage per megabyte of information is low. However, the cost per megabyte of data is high in USB drives that have large storage capacities as they contain expensive parts.
It is removable and rewritable. However, the numbers of erase write cycles have to adhere to the given specified limit.
Data storage does not necessitate labelling for easy identification. The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen of the USB displays the name of the drive, its date and content.
It is also lightweight (5gms is the weight of a small USB).
It’s portable. Portability enables offsite placement of the data storage media.
Reliability is its other feature for it lacks movable parts.

USB drive is also popular for transferring data as it is:

ly removable and is portable
As it weighs less it can be carried in a pocket too
USB enables a data transfer rate exceeding 20MB/per sec. It is useful for transferring files, videos and pictures. Probably, it is best put in use when people use it for holding their personal medical information to be used in times of emergency.
It’s encased in a metal casing and is thus sturdily dust and damage resistant. Some rubber coated ones are scratch resistant too
A few USB drives can auto encrypt data making it safe for data transfer
They can also replace passwords with finger prints further enhancing security
They are variedly coloured and look attractive while being carried around
Most of the USB drives can be directly connected to the USB port on a computer

The multifarious advantages of a USB flash drive have made it an extremely popular data storage and data transfer device. It is fast emerging a competitor to the other data storage devices.

parison of a USB drive with Other Data Storage Devices

USB drive compares favourably with CDs. CD-RWs can sustain up to 1,000 erase write cycles. NAND based flash drives permit 500,000 erase write cycles
This device can be plugged and unplugged from the computer even while it’s working enabling the computer user to carry on uninterrupted work
CDs compare unfavourably with the USB in terms of size. USB drive is so small; it can be carried around in a pocket. (One of the smallest USB measures 39x12x2mm.) The small size may also prove a handicap as it can easily get misplaced.
CDs and DVDs hold more information than a USB, but they do not facilitate changes to be made. USB enables data correction. This advantage is also viewed a disadvantage due to diminished protection of the data.
Some flash drives enable data encryption for security enhancement. This feature turns disadvantageous if the computer does not have compatible encryption software. (Few computers have it.)

A USB drive is widely used and its many beneficial features have made it a popular back up data storage media.

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James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk